Welcome Lily Goldberg to OPAL CLT

We’re excited to welcome Lily Goldberg to the OPAL team as our new Associate Homeownership Director!

Lily joined OPAL in January and brings with her a deep passion for affordable housing and community development. She lives on San Juan Island and comes to OPAL from the San Juan Community Home Trust, where she served as Director of Housing.

Originally from Philadelphia, Lily earned her degree in Urban Studies & Community Development from Temple University and has worked with several affordable housing and community development nonprofits throughout her career. Her commitment to housing access even took her on an unforgettable journey in 2015, when she biked 4,200 miles across the country, stopping along the way to work on affordable housing construction sites.

We’re thrilled to have Lily’s experience, energy and dedication to housing justice joining OPAL’s work on Orcas Island. Please join us in giving her a warm OPAL welcome!

The job of Associate Homeownership Director was created as part of OPAL’s succession plan to prepare for planned future retirements and make sure OPAL is in a good position for the next 10-20 years. OPAL is working with a consultant to create a thoughtful plan for the organization as three tenured staff approach their retirement dates and is using the process to forecast the needs of the organization into the future.

 Julie Brunner is the current Housing Director (24 years with OPAL to date), and this hire will train the next generation of skillful staff as Julie prepares for retirement in the summer of 2028. Other retirements on the horizon include Executive Director Lisa Byers (30 years with OPAL so far) and Director of Stewardship and Project Management Jeanne Beck (19 years with OPAL so far); no dates have been set for their retirements at this time.

OPAL currently has 11 employees and the succession plan forecasts adding new positions. In 2026, OPAL plans to hire a new Director of Finance and Operations. When job opportunities are open, they will be listed at www.opalclt.org/news.